University of Virginia political scientist and author Larry Sabato says Chris Christie's immediate future is clear.
"One assumes that Christie is the keynote speaker. He'll knock it out of the park. The roar in Tampa will be heard in Miami,'' Sabato said.
Beyond that, "Christie has to get reelected, unless President Romney appoints him Attorney General, and that would make some sense,'' Sabato said.
"If Romney wins, Christie can't run (for president) until 2020, assuming he's reelected in 2013.''
"If Romney loses, and Christie is reelected in 2013, he'll have a lot of support for a run in 2016. Of course, Paul Ryan is now in line to be the presumed favorite for 2016 should Romney lose. And lots of others will be running, potentially: Jeb Bush, Marco Rubio, but not both Bush and Rubio, Bobby Jindal, and a dozen more.''
"But it's impossible to ignore Christie. He's larger than life, and I don't mean his weight.''